CANID MYTHBUSTERS MYTH: We have both coyotes and coywolves living in Ontario. FACT: The one and only coyote species in Ontario is the Eastern Coyote, which shares common ancestral DNA with the Western Coyote and Algonquin (Eastern) Wolf. The mixing of DNA occurred more than 100 years ago, and some remnant DNA still exists in our Eastern Coyotes today. “Coywolf” is a nickname for the Eastern 1 Coyote. 2 MYTH: Coyotes lure domestic dogs. FACT: Coyotes are family oriented and do not use their family members to bait or lure other animals. When a free-roaming dog chases and harasses a coyote, the coyote will flee to the safety of family members. If a dog continues pursuit, coyotes will defend their families. MYTH: Coyotes abandon their pups. FACT: Coyotes mate for life and co-parent their pups. They are devoted and protective parents and do not abandon their young. During infancy, pups depend on their mother’s milk; if she is killed, they will perish. If both parents are killed, pups will be orphaned. 3 CANID MYTHBUSTERS MYTH: A yipping coyote means it has killed something. FACT: Coyotes do not advertise their food sources. Consider this: can you sing opera with your mouth full? Well, neither can coyotes! Vocalizations are like a “Canid GPS”: coyotes yip, howl and bark to defend territory, locate family, celebrate, warn each other of danger and greet 4 one another. MYTH: Coyotes stalk people. 5 FACT: Coyotes are aware of everything in their territory. When raising families, coyotes will escort or shadow visitors travelling through shared spaces to make sure they leave the area. Often misinterpreted as being “bold” or “brazen”, a curious coyote may stop and watch visitors to assess any threats to his or her family. It is important to note that a coyote who has been fed by people may exhibit demand behaviour. For everyone’s safety, never ever feed a coyote. WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE? @coyotewatchcanada @CoyoteWatchCAN Visit us at coyotewatchcanada.com @coyotewatchcanada Coyote Watch Canada is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering human-wildlife coexistence. SCIENCE. EDUCATION.COEXISTENCE..